Press Through

Several months ago, my husband very gently sat me down and with a calm voice and that of a friend who loves me like no other, told me very honestly, “You need to press through.”   This morning in “My Utmost for His Highest,” I read for May 12th (Yes, I know this isn’t May 12th ) “Is there anywhere where you are not at home with God? Let God press though in that particular circumstance until you gain Him, and life becomes the simple life of a child.”  Prior to reading that – I thought on my couch this morning, “When did my thought life become so crowded on such a regular basis?”  I’m not talking about fulfilling responsibilities and execution of priorities to our best – I’m talking about trying to “figure out” what we can’t possibly figure out, and getting “caught” there.

In Matt. 19:14 Jesus is telling His disciples “Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me.” My understanding is that He was not just referring to “little children” but instructing adult believers in Him to come to Him with a child-like faith, and that no one or any circumstances should prevent  that. No presumptuous ideas or preconceived expectations of what to ask Him for, just being with our Daddy who loves us, and being blessed simply by being in His presence!   I Cor.13:11 talks about putting away childish things – but again we know there’s a difference between “child-like” and “childish.”

Those two behaviors are so different and yet they cross over from time to time.  It’s funny (but not really amusing) how we can go from trusting God and laying everything at His feet with sweet child-like, uninhibited release, to taking “whatever” back, clenching our fists, digging in our heels and demanding that this situation (whatever it is) change immediately!! There is a time to stand and be unshakeable. I KNOW I’d rather have those times fueled by His power, than my fury.   I believe a lot of fury we experience is fueled by arrogance – other than the times we are allowed to be righteously angry.  If you’re angry a lot, or get angry easily – something is wrong.  If you’re buttons get pushed by the wind blowing, something is wrong.

I want His sweet peace. I desire to press through until He is in every situation.  You know the answer may be right, but the timing is wrong.  He needs to be in the timing – there’s an area I need to submit to more.  If He’s not in the timing, then is it fair to say we haven’t given Him the situation completely?  I want Him so much in every situation that even if I never get on the swings in the park again, I have that “feeling” of “Not a care in the world, because I’m in His hands.” That doesn’t seem to be such a bad goal.  Beautiful bird singing right outside our office window now.  Thank you Lord for allowing him to serenade me too!